British Culture: Albion Never Dies
Episodes
'S' is for... 'Satire' ~ British, Turkish, and even Cantonese Satire [Episode 106]
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!I have been asked to cover British humour and comedy many, many times by listeners. Finally, I have given in with ...
'S' is for... ‘The Shire’, ‘Secret Service’, and ‘Scaramanga’ [Episode 105]
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you to so many, for so many great suggestions! I list the *main* ones below that I talk about:Shires (and Th...
'S' is for... 'Simon Templar (aka 'The Saint')' [Episode 104]
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Joining me to talk about this remarkable series of novels is British author Roland Hulme, described in his Amazon ...
'S' is for... 'Sports', 'Scotland', and 'SAS (and SBS)' [Episode 103]
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Happy New Year! Yes! The 'Alphabet of Britishness' is back!!S is for... Sport!I talk about the British c...
How British is Star Wars? [Episode 102]
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!After over 100 episodes looking at the positive definition of 'Britishness', it's time to ask what ...
Merry Christmas! [Episode 101]
25 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Merry Christmas! I hope you're having a wonderful day. Just a quick chat, as I know some people might have 3 ...
The 100th Episode: What have I learned, and what's coming up?
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Today, I’m talking about:(1) T is for… ThomasI talk about my experience in China, with Chinese social media an...
REISSUE: A Deep Dive Into Christmas, with Caine [Episode 99]
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!British Christmas traditions feel universal and timeless to us Brits... yet as my interviewee Caine explains, Chri...
A British Novelist Discusses a Classic British Novel: Roland Hulme on "Lady Chatterley's Lover" [Episode 98]
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!The number one movie on Netflix (UK) right now is the latest adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's "Lady Chatter...
The Railway Children by E. Nesbit | The Book, The Film (1970), and The Railway
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This week's episode looks at:Edith Nesbit: British children’s author, novelist, and poet. Among many other ...
It's Competition Time! (open until Tuesday 5th December)
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!That's right! If you can guess the topic of my forthcoming episode, on a certain Edwardian children's st...
By Listener Request... The Food and Drink of James Bond, 007
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Thanks to Frank on Instagram (@HansGruberr) for suggesting this topic. In fact, ‘007’s Drinks’ was the reque...
The UK's New, New Prime Minister; Rishi Sunak | Your Questions, My Answers
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!If you’ve lived under two British monarchs and three Prime Ministers, you may only be a few months old. Recent e...
Lawrence of Arabia - The True Story
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!By request of many, many listeners, I am covering 'Lawrence of Arabia' (1962) in the final episode in my...
REISSUE: Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November!
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This is a REISSUE of my Bonfire Night (Guy Fawkes Night) special episode from last year. My style has changed a li...
The Man Who Would Be King (Film 1975 & Story 1888)
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!I take a NO SPOILERS look at the 1975 film ‘The Man Who Would Be King’, and the original 1888 short story by R...
BONUS Episode: The British Origins of Halloween
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Did you know that Halloween has its roots in the British Isles, especially from an ancient festival called 'S...
Zulu (1964) and the REAL Battle of Rorke’s Drift
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you very much to the chaps in the Facebook Group, 'The Gentlemen's Society for the Appreciation of...
BONUS Episode: Trafalgar Night
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Every year, on October 28th, the Royal Navy celebrates Admiral Nelson’s most famous victory. But, what if Nelson...
Coming Soon: The (British) Empire Strikes Back!
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!What's coming up on the podcast? A trilogy of British Empire classics, the first two as part of our 'sea...
Frederick Forsyth | A Very British (Thriller) Writer | Heir of Ian Fleming?
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Last week, I appeared on the podcast 'From Tailors With Love', talking about the 1987 movie 'The Fo...
What is 'Britishness'?
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!It is the guiding question of this whole podcast! After a tumultuous month, it's time to get back to basics. ...
The Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!I watched Queen Elizabeth's funeral procession from The Mall, the road that leads to Buckingham Palace. It wa...
Preview Episode: The Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!I spent this morning at The Mall, in London, watching the funeral procession of Queen Elizabeth II.These are my br...
Queen Elizabeth II & King Charles III
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Queen Elizabeth II, the UK's longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 yea...
Who is Liz Truss? ｜ A Brief Biography of the UK's New Prime Minister
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Liz Truss has just been elected leader of the Conservative Party in the UK. As the leader of the party with the la...
It's the August Bank Holiday!
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!What is a Bank holiday? Why do we have Bank Holidays? What do people do on Bank Holidays? Most importantly, what a...
James Bond in Istanbul | Part 3 | Ian Fleming (iii), "The Tunnel of Rats" and the Byzantines
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In Ian Fleming's 1957 novel, James Bond 007 visits Istanbul. The city is wonderfully described, from a Britis...
A Fourth Slice of Yorkshire Life | Britain as Seen Though Our Local Newspapers
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This week, I am looking at the Darlington and Stockton Times (North Yorkshire), seeing what I can learn about this...
James Bond in Istanbul | Part 2 | Ian Fleming (ii), Pera, Galata, and the Grand Bazaar
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In Ian Fleming's 1957 novel, James Bond 007 visits Istanbul. The city is wonderfully described, from a Britis...
James Bond in Istanbul | Part 1 | Ian Fleming (i)
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In Ian Fleming's 1957 novel, James Bond 007 visits Istanbul. The city is wonderfully described. Having studie...
British Politics: Your Questions, My Answers
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you to everyone who messaged me about my last episode. This week, I'm answering the top ten questions (...
The Next Prime Minister
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!The Prime Minister is the most visible representation of the UK, after the Queen. Travelling around the world, I h...
Bonus Episode: The Drinks of 007
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Enjoy this special bonus episode, just a couple of minutes long. It was originally made for my Chinese social medi...
A James Bond Location: Queen Mary's Rose Garden, Regent's Park, London (1964's You Only Live Twice)
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Hello there!Many of you know me from my Ian Fleming / James Bond themed Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.c...
Culture Shock: 5 Stages and Practical Solutions (from an Englishman Abroad)
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!What could be more English than an Englishman abroad? Having spent the majority of my adult life outside the UK, a...
Back in Britain #10 | On the Bradford Busses
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!There were no strange stories about travelling on the busses here in the UK for the first few months, then suddenl...
Back in Britain #9 | 3 months of being back...
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!I've been back home for 3 months now... how is it wearing on me?Honestly, watching 'The Spy Who Loved Me...
British Culture Q&A!
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In this episode, I respond to questions from my Instagram friends over at @flemingneverdiesWho should be the next ...
Back in Britain #8 | with St. Thomas' Church Bells, the City of Bradford Brass Band, and the Cathedral Chamber Choir for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Britain has just celebrated Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee with a four-day national holiday. Rather than ...
Back in Britain #7 | I'll buy you a Bettys! (no apostrophe)
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Just a quick slice of life from me this week. I haven't been travelling, except to go to Ilkley to take a fri...
Back in Britain #6 | The UK vs the US (listener mail edition) | Plus: taking a steam train to Howarth's 1940s Weekend
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!After the last episode went out, I was flooded with responses to my question, "What's the most interesti...
Back in Britain #5 | The UK vs the US (two countries divided by common clichés?)
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!I've largely avoided comparisons between UK and US culture until now, despite it being a terribly popular top...
Back in Britain #4 | A visit to London meeting "From Tailors With Love", Daniel Gaster, and "British Bond Addict"
08 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In this episode, I ask three fellas in a pub in London, "What's the most British thing you've seen ...
Back in Britain #3 | I have a job in the UK!! | Alfred Chocolate Yumyum the Cat makes an appearance
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!That job interview I mentioned in "Back in Britain #2"? I got the job!! Telling them it was my birthday ...
'R' is for 'Royal'
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!The Alphabet of Britishness is back! Thank you to all those who suggested the following:R is for… Royalty R is ...
A 'Shallow Dive' Into St. George's Day, with Caine (normally in Fuzhou, China)
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This week, I talk to Caine (normally in Fuzhou) about St. George's Day, which is coming very soon. It is ofte...
Interview with "License to Cook" author, Edward Biddulph
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This week, I talk to Edward Biddulph, author of 'License to Cook' and the blog 'James Bond Food&apo...
Back in Britain #2 | British Pubs with Caine (Normally in Fuzhou) | Plus: "A Slice of Derbyshire Life" with Alfred Chocolate Yumyum the Cat
03 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!The end of March consisted mostly of snow, an art exhibition, a trip to Derby and Nottingham, and the Derby Telegr...
A Third Slice of Yorkshire Life | Britain as Seen Though Our Local Newspapers
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!A quick episode, quickly put together as I am still settling back into life back in Britain. I give some of my per...
Back in Britain #1 | After 7 years Away…
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This is my live audio diary as I return to the UK after 7 years away, recorded at: LAX airport; London Heathrow Ai...
Interview with "The Spy Command" Bill Koenig
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Bill Koenig runs "The Spy Command" blog which provides news and commentary about James Bond, “The Othe...
A Few Fun Facts About Wales
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!A 'shallow dive' or a quick briefing about Wales, a beautiful and interesting country, part of the Unite...
'Q' is for... 'Queen'
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This is the 17th episode in 'The Alphabet of Britishness'. I ask, what could possibly be more British th...
A Second Slice of Yorkshire Life | Britain as Seen Though Our Local Newspapers
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!After the popularity of the previous episode looking at local news stories, I have another roundup of the goings o...
'P' is for 'Prince of Wales'
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!We start with the interview with Matt Spaiser, author of "From Tailors with Love: An Evolution of Menswear Th...
Interview with "Being James Bond" Joe Darlington
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Joe Darlington began his podcast 'Being James Bond' back in 2006. He is a published author and a much lo...
'O' is for... 'Oliver Cromwell'
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!There is so much to say about Oliver Cromwell that this is really just my first attempt at the topic. There is so ...
Rockall 2022 | An Epic Expedition for Charity
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In June 2022 a team will land on Rockall Island, more than 200 nautical miles from the West Coast of Scotland and ...
'N' is for... 'National Health Service'
17 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This week, I start by looking at the UK's National Health Service. I look at an academic study examining the ...
A Slice of Yorkshire Life | Britain as Seen Though Our Local Newspapers
10 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This week I take a look at some local newspapers, the first is from Northern Ireland but the others are all from Y...
'M' is for... 'Monarchy'
04 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you so much to everyone who sent in their suggestions, and thank you all the well wishes after my last episo...
I have COVID (Keep Calm and Carry On)
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Yes, I tested positive for COVID over the holiday season. Oh well.In this podcast, I talk about my experience over...
Merry Christmas!
25 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Merry Christmas! A special mini-episode where I look back at a busy month - three 007 reviews, two on this podcast...
SPOILER! Review of No Time to Die with “Quantum of History"
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Spoiler, spoiler, spoiler review of the latest 007 film! Hopefully you've all had the time to go and see it b...
'L' is for... 'London' with 'British Bond Addict' & 'From Tailors With Love' (Pete Brooker)
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This special episode has *two* guests; Instagram’s ‘@BritishBondAddict’ and the prolific blogger, podcaster,...
A Deep Dive Into Christmas, with Caine!
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Caine (and Thomas) dive deep into the origins of some very British Christmas traditions. You can find more from...
Coming up soon on the podcast!
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!As I enjoy my breakfast tea, I look back at what's gone on in the podcast and Youtube over the last month, an...
'K' is for... 'Kings, Knights, and Knaves'
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This week, I’m looking at Kings, Knights, Knaves, along with a few others, including:KiplingKippers(Harry) KaneK...
SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! review of No Time to Die with “That One Bond Guy” (Chris Morales, from California)
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!SPOILER! SPOILER! SPOILER! review of No Time to Die with Chris Morales (Instagram and Youtube’s “That One Bond...
'J' is for... 'Justice'
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you to the 152 people who answered my question on Facebook, "What does 'j' stand for in the A...
Remembrance Day
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This is a special episode to mark Remembrance Day. I talk about the significance of the day, give three readings o...
The UK: Not Just London | An Exploration of Britain with Caine in Fuzhou (China)
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Our deepest dive yet! Caine in Fuzhou (China) joins me to talk about Britain, but not just London. We share with e...
Remember, Remember, The Fifth of November
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Remember, remember, The Fifth of NovemberGunpowder treason and plotI see no reason why gunpowder treasonShould eve...
'I' is for... [To be decided by you!]
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!That's right! There was so many contrasting answers to 'What does 'i' stand for in the Alphabe...
Interview with "The British Voice" Ian Russell [31]
30 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Ian Russell is an award winning British voice actor with a global audience. His voiceover skills have been feature...
A Brit in New York | Interview with British Novelist Roland Hulme [30]
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Roland Hulme is a British author who has lived in New York for twenty years, here he gives his unique perspective ...
Interview with British Author Jon Auty, creator of "Behind the Stunts" [29]
23 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Jon Auty is the author of 'Behind the Stunts', a fantastic book, podcast series, and Youtube series dedi...
Trafalgar Night [28]
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!October 21st is Trafalgar Night, a huge Royal Navy celebration. This is a quick bonus episode just to mark the day...
H is for... King Henry... All Eight of Them! [27]
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!This eighth episode in the 'Alphabet of Britishness' has eight kings called Henry in it... or at least, ...
007 as seen from China | *No Spoilers* for 'No Time To Die' [26]
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!"What do the Chinese think of the truly British institution that is James Bond, 007?" This may not have ...
'G' is for 'Great' [25]
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In this episode, I list the number of people who said 'G is for Great' and well, that takes care of the ...
007's Retirement: Reading, Rum and Riparian Feasts [24]
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!The new James Bond film will soon be in cinemas. According to EON Productions, “In No Time To Die, Bond has left...
'F' is for 'Fish and Chips' [23]
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Well, it had to be. Three people said so, and that was the largest number for any one topic. I also voice my view ...
A Deep Dive Into British Men's Wardrobes with Caine (in Fuzhou, China) [22]
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!How has Britain influenced men's wardrobes around the world? Listen as Caine returns and gives us a real insi...
'E' is for 'Elgar' [21]
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!'E' is for Edward Elgar, a wonderful English composer, who gave us 'Land of Hope and Glory'; o...
British Culture as Experienced by British People Overseas - Thomas and Caine [20]
29 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!British expatriates are both 'insiders' for British culture but also 'outsiders'. Living outsi...
'D' is for 'Democracy' [19]
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!A huge thank you to 'Novice_Artisan' on Instagram for suggesting the headline topic of this episode; a g...
A Deep Dive Into Ink: British Tattoo Culture, with Caine (in Fuzhou, China) [18]
17 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Caine joins me from China for the third time, having been on "British Culture as seen from Fuzhou, China"...
'C' is for 'Crumpets' [17]
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you to the 25 people who answered the question, “What does ‘C’ stand for in the alphabet of Britishnes...
'B' is for 'Bloody Hell'! [16]
26 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In the alphabet of Britishness, 'A' is for 'Bloody Hell'... according to my many, many of frie...
'A' is for 'Albion' [15]
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In the alphabet of Britishness, 'A' is for 'Albion.... but what does it mean? I asked on Instagram...
British Bond Addict talking about Bond, James Bond [14]
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!British Bond Addict returns, this time to delve into the world of Ian Fleming's 007. Thomas has 10 questions ...
The Cost of Counter-Piracy (Somalia) [13]
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Remember Somali piracy? This was a serious issue that, for many people, just suddenly came and went out of the new...
My Five Favourite (British) Books [12]
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Aside from the (King James) Bible and Shakespeare, what are my favourite books?1. 'The Lord of the Rings&apos...
Britishness as viewed from California: An Interview with IG's "That One Bond Guy", Christopher Morales [11]
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Today, Christopher Morales joins me, who you might know as Instagram’s “That One Bond Guy”. We talk about hi...
The 7 Pillars of Britishness: An Interview with Instagram's "British Bond Addict" [10]
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!In this episode, I interview Chris Hunt, known on Instagram as ‘British Bond Addict’, you can find him here: h...
A James Bond Location: Hong Kong and the Peninsula Hotel [9]
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!哈囉! Hello!Many of you know me from my Ian Fleming / James Bond themed Instagram profile: https://www.instagram...
Bonus Episode: What are biscuits in the USA!? [8]
08 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Thank you to everyone who contacted me after the last episode, in which Caine and I talked about tea and biscuits....
A Deep Dive into Tea (Part II): British Tea, Turkish Tea, and Tea in East Asia [7]
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Don't be shy, send me a message!Last week, I travelled 5 hours by high-speed train from just north of Hong Kong to Fuzhou, in Fujian, famous for i...